Stress relief through cycling

Steve Snyder – Roanoke Rapids, NC

In my youth, friends and I would cycle up to 30 miles to a good swimming spot on the Gunpowder River in Maryland, tube all day and ride home by dusk. As time progressed, I went off to college, tried several occupations and finally landed a job in food production that really fit my personality and my skills. As the years passed, promotions followed and now, as a Plant Manager, I have found cycling is a GREAT form of stress relief. Luckily, I live in a rural part of North Carolina where the roads are endless and the traffic is minimal. I have been seriously riding now for about 10 years and have participated in the Cycle North Carolina events where you ride from the mountains of North Carolina to the coast. Me and my cycling buds ride anywhere from 100 to 200 miles per week when we have good weather and at least 75 miles a week through the winter months. We all enjoy the conversation and scenic views as we tour around Northeastern North Carolina and Southern Virginia. Attached is a picture of me and a group of friends from two years ago near Lake Lure, NC during the CYCLENC ride. I am the 4th in line in the blue jersey.